When it comes to cybersecurity, the more you know, the better.
Hackers and scammers are becoming more proficient in devising new and intricate ways of breaching organizations’ security, so you must stay on top of your cybersecurity.
This means identifying any and all possible ways data could be leaked within the workplace.
Easier said than done, right?
On the contrary, maintaining your company’s data safe is simpler than you think – and it doesn’t mean forking out for costly external resources either.
This article explores the five possible causes of workplace data leaks and how to deal with them. Let’s dive in.
Email Recipient Errors
We’ve all done it: we’ve sat there crafting an email, being sure to double-check spelling and grammar – and of course – making sure we’ve included the promised attachment… only for us to then accidentally send it to the wrong recipient.
It may cause some misunderstandings with your colleagues, but did you know it can also make the data you were about to share vulnerable to hacker attacks?
Here’s the deal though: simply taking the time to double-check you’ve included the correct email address will ensure you’re not unintentionally leaking data.
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2. Clicking on Phishing Links
Phishing is one of the oldest tricks in the cybercriminal book, and scammers are showing no sign of slowing down.
Far from it, actually. There are more than 3.4 billion phishing emails sent daily, and when caffeine levels are running low, it’s easy to click on something ‘phishy’ accidentally.
Not only that, cybercriminals are getting pretty good at creating convincing and seemingly ‘innocent’ links that can leak your company’s data.
The trick to staying ahead of the curb here? Verifying every URL source and hovering your cursor over links before clicking on them. A moment’s careful discernment can help keep scammers at bay.
3. Cloud Storage Glitches
Cloud storage is a fundamental part of almost every organization’s data management. And for good reason! Not only is it super easy and reliable, but it saves much time and space: you don’t need to store data the old-fashioned way: within hard drives or on paper.
But nothing’s perfect, right?
If cloud storage is configured correctly within your organization, it’s a dream.
However, if it’s not, it’s a nightmare that means your data isn’t safe. To protect sensitive documents from falling into the wrong hands, you need to set up proper access controls and regularly review all permissions and access requests.
4. Misplaced USB Drives
The compact USB drive is the ultimate solution for holding vast quantities of data, but they’re also notorious for getting lost or misplaced, which is a one-way ticket to the possibility of getting attacked.
Accidents happen, sure, but you can protect sensitive company data by encrypting your USB drives or opting for more secure file-sharing options and/or cloud storage.
5. Neglecting or Continually Postponing Software Updates
Software updates have an uncanny habit of cropping up at the most inopportune moments when we simply don’t have time.
It’s easy and tempting to ignore them, half-heartedly promising to return to them at a later hour… and then forgetting.
But in fact, human error is considered the main cause of cyberattacks in 2023.
Outdated software is extremely vulnerable to hacker exploitation.
The solution?
Prioritizing regular updates – even if it means staying behind ten minutes after work to perform the update.
Those ten minutes may be the saving grace and secret weapon against potential data breaches.
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Data Safety: Additional Tips
As well as implementing the preventative measures mentioned above, you can also benefit from adding these extra solutions to your cybersecurity toolbelt:
- Secure password management: Hackers are experts in password cracking, so stay one step ahead of them by ensuring passwords are strong, safely stored, and changed regularly.
- Two-factor authentication (2FA): 2FA is a quick and reliable way of ensuring additional security for your accounts and data.
- Remote work security: Hybrid or remote working is a godsend to many of us, but it also exposes us to additional security threats. Tackle this by ensuring you’re using a secure connection (avoid public Wi-Fi). Consider using a company-approved VPN for your devices for additional protection and peace of mind. A Virtual Private Network will encrypt your internet connection, making it harder for unauthorized individuals to gain access.
- Employee training. Making sure your team understands the severity of data breaches will help keep them vigilant. Keep everyone informed about the latest cybersecurity threats and conduct regular employee training sessions.
Conclusion
By gaining awareness of these lesser-known risks and then taking a little time to implement additional safety measures, you can rest assured knowing your company’s data isn’t falling into the wrong hands.
Simply embracing a proactive approach to data security in the ever-changing cyberthreat landscape of 2023 will mean you’re outsmarting any hackers or scammers that come sniffing around. Good luck!
